New generation needs help

Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan organization advocating for Millennials ages 18-29, is announcing its Millennial Jobs Report for March 2013. The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18-29 year olds:

• The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds specifically for March 2013 is 11.7 percent (NSA).

• The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans for March 2013 is 20.1 percent (NSA); the youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics for March 2013 is 12.6 percent (NSA); and the youth unemployment rate for 18–29 year old women for March 2013 is 10 percent (NSA).

• The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.7 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.

• If the labor force participation rate were factored into the 18-29 youth unemployment calculation, the actual 18-29-unemployment rate would rise to 16.2 percent (NSA).

And this isn’t even getting into discussions of student debt.

New technologies aside, it is very difficult for many young people today to start a fulfilling life and career. Remember that you can help in your organization by advocating for increased use of paid internships, improved training and mentoring opportunities for your interns and new employees, and by providing career opportunities to young people using the Pathways Programs. Even if these opportunities don’t lead to careers with your organization it will leave these disadvantaged youth significantly better off. Do your part to help out.

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